July 1, 2026
His Excellency
Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Dear Mr. President,
I guess there is always a first time for everyone. For me, this is writing an open letter to the Philippine president visiting Canada for the first time.
I am writing to ask for executive clemency, and unconditional, immediate release for MARY JANE VELOSO.
Mary Jane was 25 years old when she was arrested in Indonesia in 2010. I was then a 56-year-old librarian working in a large public library system in Vancouver. No one really knew about her arrest and detention until the Indonesian government transferred her to death row and sentenced her to die by firing squad. Mary Jane, the victim of illegal recruiters was promised a job as a domestic worker and these same recruiters had also hidden drugs in her suitcase without her knowledge. She was arrested in Indonesia, left with no work to support her family of two young sons, and sentenced to years behind bars, and a death sentence.
You probably know all these, Mr. President, because you inherited her case from the two presidents before your time in Malacañang – Benigno (Noynoy) Aquino III and Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Mary Jane’s luck shifted a little bit in 2024 when the Indonesian government made the transfer agreement with the Philippines which finally brought Mary Jane home. Unfortunately, her return home was not to the embrace of her family but to continued detention behind bars. This statement by Veloso’s legal team bears repeating: “Indonesia has explicitly said repeatedly, that it is now our (Philippines) call if we give her clemency and that they will respect that decision to do so.”
Mister President, there is no stopping you from making the very principled position which is to exercise the power that is yours and yours alone. Your executive power to grant clemency for Mary Jane is not based on legal studies or expert opinion but on your compassion, decency and on humanitarian considerations. As President, you may and can exercise this power at anytime and under any circumstance.
Presidential clemency and pardons have been extended to convicted criminals in the Philippines many times. In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte granted Robin Padilla absolute and unconditional pardon for a 1994 conviction of illegal possession of firearms. In 2020, President Duterte granted US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton absolute pardon for his 2014 conviction of homicide for killing Filipino transwoman Jennifer Laude. In 2007, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo granted former president Joseph Estrada, who was deposed in the second Edsa 2001, pardon for his conviction of plunder.
Mr. President, Mary Jane is not convicted of any crime in the Philippines. She is not a celebrity. She is a victim of human trafficking.
An executive clemency from you for Mary Jane will be an act of grace, centred on the policy of fairness, justice and compassion.
Mary Jane is now 41 years old and still behind bars. I follow up her case and participate in any campaign or action that will let more people know that she exists, and that she is still behind bars. I am now 72 years old and join my voice and actions to see her free. When that happens, there will be lots of flowers and yellow ribbons for that homecoming.
Hoping for an act of grace from you for Mary Jane Veloso,
E Maestro | Vancouver, BC